Separator



Nov. 2, 1937. v J CRlTEs Rei 20,543

' v sEPARAroR .'Orinval Filed .July 1*1',` 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 2, 1937. J, R|1Es Re. 20,543

` SEPARATOR Original Filed July 17, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet? ,con

Jrg

` j? L in? Reissued Nov. 2, 19.37 l y i i Re.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- sEPlinA'ron Joe Crites, Evanston, Ill., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Combustion Engineering `Company, Inc., a corporation ofl Delaware Original No. 2,070,650, dated February 16, 1937, Serial No. 31,856, July 17, 1935. Application for reissue June 4, 1937, Serial No. 146,450

27 Claims. '(ACl. 209-139) This invention relates to certain new and use' plurality of damper means, preferably in the ful improvements in mechanical separators, and form of vertical' vanes projecting radially inward, -more particularly to improvements in that type are positioned in the outer portion of the anof separator in which the nely divided material nular separating space between the partition and to be graded is projected by centrifugal force stationary deflector. As will be hereinafter de- 5 across the path of a rising air current which .scribed more in detail, eddy currents are set upv picks up and carries away in suspension only the between these varies or dampers so as to prevent finer particles, whereas the heavier particles gravthe depositing of materials on the ledge above itate out of the air stream into a collecting means. the stationary deiiector, and as a result the far- A Separator of this type is disclosed in the patent ther 'these vanes are adjusted inwardly (between 10 t0 Cook 1,783,357, granted December 2, 1930. their limits of movement) the greater theper- The present improvements relate to means for centage of heavy material that will be carried out grading or determining, within certain limits, the in suspension in the air stream. Conversely, as g vilneness of the material that is delivered from the these varies are withdrawn or adjusted outwardly,

separator. In this general type of separator, a the iineness of the-delivered'material will be in- 15 rotary delecting member is mounted on a cencreased. tral vertical axis within the separation chamber The general object of this invention is to proancl above the rotary distributor so aslto cut vide an improved separator of the type brieily across the annular rising air stream. 'Ihis rodescribed hereinaboveand disclosed more in detary deflector -preferably comprises a multitail inthe specifications which follow. 20 plicity of radial blades or vanes, the central pcr- Another object is to provide an improved tions of which are connected by a disk or covering damper-or valvemeans for grading the neness of plate so that air passages remain only between the separated material. the outer portions of .the vanes. The outer ends Other objects and advantages of the invention of the vanes closely abut a conical deilecting will be more apparent from the following de. 25 member that extends upwardly and inwardly so tailed description of one improved formof apas to overlap the outer ends of the vanes. The paratus constructed according to the principles of rotating vanes throw the heavier particles of mathis invention.

. terial outwardly against the inclinedlower sur- In the accompanying drawings:

face ofthe delecting ring from' which they carom Fig. l is an elevation of the improved separator,` 30 downwardly at the sides of the chamber and join some of the left-hand portions being shown in the heavier material that initially gravitates out vertical section. and is too heavy to rise into the rotary deilector. Fig. 2 is a central lvertical section through the The only material that can rise above vthe coupper portion of the separator on a larger scale.v

operating deflecting members is sufilciently fine Fig. 3 is a partial vertical section correspond- 35 to be carried in suspension in the rising air ing to a right-hand portion of Fig. 2, illustrating streams between the rapidly rotating deflector diagrammatically the voperation of the separator blades. v with the adjustable vanes completely withdrawn.

Above the delecting members and between Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating 40 them and the fan which causes the rising air the operation with the varies adjusted inwardly to 40 stream, is an inwardly extending annular partitheir limit of movement. Y tion wall which compels the air ladened with `Fig.5is ahorizontalsection taken substantially ilnely divided 'material to flow inwardlyv before on the line 5 5 of Fig. l., a lower portion of this entering the fan chamber. This annular space view being broken away on a lower plane;

-between the deflecting members and the parti- Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, on a larger scale, 45 tion serves as a nal separation chamber. The taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2. T heavier portion of the material that finds its way Fig. l is an end elevation looking at the rightabove the deiiectors is carried outwardly by cenhand end o-f the structure shown in Fig. 6.

trifugal force and deposited upon the ledge above Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially the xed deflector ring, from which these heavier on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6. v 50 particles gradually slide back through the rotary The separator housing comprises a suitably deec'tor and thence downwardly through the supported outer shell or casing consisting of a casing'together with the other heavier rejected top Wall I, an upper cylindrical shell 2, and a materials. g downwardly conical shell 3 converging to the According to the present improvements, a. bottomdlscharge opening-'4 through which the 55 20 shell 1 and the upper end of conical shell 9. As

conical shell 1 is open at its lower end so as to communicate with the larger upper end of a second conical shell 3- supported within shell 3 by the braces I0 and communicating at its smaller lower end with the spout I I which extends out through one side `of the outer conical shell 3 so as to discharge the heavier particles collected within the inner conical shells. A circular series of vertical baille members I2 are positioned in the open annular channel between the lower end of conical will be herenafterbrought out in more detail, a circulation of air is maintained upwardly through the inner shell 1 inwardly around the upper cover plate 6, then outwardly and around the cover plate 6 and downwardly through the outer channel between lthe inner and outer shells, then inwardly between the bailles I2 and upwardly into the lower end of conical shell 1. I'his air circulation is indicated by the small arrows at the lefthand side of Fig. 1.

The upper stationary housing carries the central gear casing I3 in which is the upper vertical bearing I4, the gear casing having a downwardly extending tubular portion I5 carrying the lower bearing IB aligned with the upper bearing I4.

The rotating assembly comprises the central vertical supporting tube I1 which is journaled in the bearings I4 and I6, and which has secured thereon the beveled gear I8 which rests on the .antlfriction bearing, I9.so as to support the rotatable assembly. The assembled supporting frame 20 mounted on the lower end portion of rotating tube I1, comprises anupwardly extending tubular portion 2| which encloses the downwardly extending stationary tube I5 and terminatesat its upper end in a sealing member 22 rotatable within the annular cavity 23 in the lower portion of gear casing I3. f.

The fan which maintains the air circulation already described comprises a circular series of propeller blades 24 which revolve in the space or fan chamber above the iiange or cover plate 6 and below the top wall I, each blade kbeing carried by an arm 25 which is secured to the annular 'bracket 26 .carried by the supporting tube 2i.

The rotary deflector comprises a supporting skirt 21 extending outwardly from the lower end of rotary frame 2D and supporting the upper and lower discs 28 and 28 between which are secured the inner end portions of the blades or vanes 23 which are arranged ina circular series and have their outer end portions projecting radially into lproximity to the surrounding'cylindrical wall 5 of theinner casing. The outer ends of these vanes are beveled outwardly and .downwardly as indicated at 30 and are provided with reinforcing plates 3|. The cooperating annular stationary deflector comprises a vertical supporting wall 32 which is secured to the shell wall 5, and upwardly and inwardly projecting conical portion 33 which extends over the beveled end portions 30 of the vanes, and an inwardly projecting flange 34 which overlaps-the outer upper'sides of the vanes. It will be noted that the only space that is open for the upward passage of 'the air and suspended material comprises the annular series of openings between the exposed portions 35 of the vanes, and

between the outer edges of the discs 28-28" and the inner edge of the stationary deflector.

The distributing disk 36 is carried by a plurality of struts 31 extending downwardly from the rotating deflector 'framefjust described. A stationary inner delivery tube 38 is supported at its upper endy bythe gear casingl I3 and projects` downwardly through Ythe rotary supporting tube I1. The material to be separated is delivered by any convenient means such as the spout 39 (Fig. 1) into the upper end of tube 3B and thence discharged downwardly 'onto the rapidly rotating distributing disk 36.

The rotating assembly may be driven in any suitable manner. As here shown a motor 4B mounted on the top of the housing is connected through chain or belt gearing 4I with the outer .end of a horizontal drive shaft 42 carrying the bevel pinion 43 which meshes with bevel gear I8 already described. If desired change-speed gearing can be interposed between the motor and drive shaft 42 so as to vary the speed at which the rotating assembly is driven.

The separator as thus far described operates in much the same manner yas the separator disclosed in the patent to Cook 1,7 83,357, hereinabove referred to, but before stating this operation in detail I will describe the regulating vanes 44 which have been added as a part of the improvements herein disclosed and claimed.

These vanes or dampers 44 are arranged in an annular `series spaced equally about the circumference of the separator, there being eight of these shell 2 and the inner shell 5, with the inner end portion 46 of the plate extending through shell 5 and projecting substantially in vertical alignn ment with the inner end of the stationary deflector flange 34, and the outer end portion 41 of the plate projecting out through wall 2 to an accessible position. The plate 44 is slidably mounted in the tubular-guide housingI 48 which projects through an opening in the outer shell 2 and has a flange 49 `bolted to this outer shell. The inner end portion of the housing 48 is mounted in a tubular sleeve 5I! projecting outwardly from the inner shell 5. A vertical guide slot extending throughout the length of the housing 4B is formed between a pair of spaced apart partition members 5I and 52, the ends of this guide slot being open but the remaining end portions of the housing means closed as indicated at 53 in Fig. 7. The slot is of somewhat greater widthpthan the plate 44, the partition members being provided with inwardly projecting bosses 54 which contact with and slidably guide the plate`44. 'Ihis is to prevent the plate from becoming jammed in position within the slotwhen loose material iinds its way into the slot at the sides of the plate.' A bolt 55 mounted in a yoke 56 carried at the outer end of the housing 48 projects through a slot- 51 in the damper 44, thus limiting the inward or outward movement of the damper. A plurality of holes 5B are formed in the outer end portion of the damper 44, and a similar hole 59 is provided in an angular bracket plate 65 secured to the outer faceof the `housing. By inserting aA suitable .spout I l.

ings in Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 3 illustrates the operation with the dempers 44 completely withdrawn, that is the inner ends 46 are pulled back substantially flush with the wall 5 ofthe inner shell. The material introduced through spout 39 and tube 33 will be thrown outwardly by the .centrifugal distributing plate 36- and diiused across the rising air current within the inner casing. Only the lighter 'and finer particles are carried upwardly by the-rising air current created by fan 24, the heavier particles il gravitating downwardly through the inner shells l and 3 and out through Some of these heavier particles will be thrown against the casing walls 5 and 1 and will thence gravitate downwardly. As soon as the material particles carried in the rising air stream are caught by the revolving blades or vanes 35,'

the heavier particles will be caught by these l blades and thrown outwardly against the under surface of the stationary dei'lector 33 from which they will be thrown downwardlyV to :loin the other heavier particles that have .already separated out. The central disk or apron 28 prevents the passage of any material between the inner portions of the rotating blades which are not traveling at as great a linear speed, and the only material that can be carried above these cooperating deector members is the very fine material that may be carried in the air stream passing through the spacesrbetween the rapidly rotating vanes 35.

'I'he iinal separation and grading process with l which, we are here particularly concerned takes yshells 1 and 9.

place in the separating chamber 62 above the rotary deilector and below the annular'partition or cover plate E. It will be noted that the outer portion of this separating chamber extends over the stationary deiiector`34. 'I'he air laden with ilne material which has passed through the whirling deector 35 into separating chamber 6,2 must ow inwardly around the partition E and up through central opening 8 before it can enter the fan chamber. While thisair is whirling-around the central axis within separating chamber G2, the heavier particles of the material still remaining in suspension will be thrown outwardly and will be deposited on the ledge formed bythe stationary` deflector members 33 and 34,-as indicated at 63 in Fig. 3. This deposit of material will build up on the ledge until the angle Yof repose has been reached, after which additional material will slide down and fall between the rotating deflector blades 35 and eventually be carried down with the other yheavier material through the inner Only the very fine particles of material will be carried inwardly by the air stream and thence up into the ,fan chamber. This material-laden air is forced outwardly by the. fan and thence downwardly through passage45 between the inner and outer shells. vSince vthis air strea'm is still whirling through the annularspace 45 (due to the force imparted thereto Yby the fan) it wouldk impinge broadside on the vanes 44 and beimpeded thereby were it not for the fact that .thesevanesjarefinclosed inthe Cylindrical housings 48 which`lessen the resist- ,o

ance to the circulating air stream. AsV this air stream flows downwardly into 'the larger lower portion 64 of passage 45the air stream will expand and lose velocity, and the material carried therebywill .gravitate out and be deposited within the outer conical shell 3 so as to gravitate out in ner edge ofthe stationary deiiector 34. At suchA times, eddy currents will be set up between the successiveY pairs of regulating plates so as to substantially prevent the deposition of any material above the ledge 34, and substantially all of the material that is carried up to the openings in the rotary deflector will be carried out in suspension in the air stream and deposited in the outerv shell 3. Y

It will be understood that the material separated out by this apparatus will be reasonably fine in any case, since only the ner particles of material can nd their way upwardly through the openings in the rotary deflector into the separating chamber 62. However, with the regulating vanes 44 completely withdrawn, the nest grade of material'will be separated out, whereas with the regulating vanes moved in tol the extreme position lshown in Fig. 4 the4 maximum percentage of heavier particles will be permitted to flow through into the outer shell. By adjusting the regulating vanes 44 to intermediate positions, intermediate grades of material may be.

obtained. For example; in one typical machine of thisv type it has been found that with the vanes 44 completely withdrawn, substantially 99.5% oi the material separatedy out will pass through a 200 mesh screen. With the lregulating vanes adjusted tothe extreme inner position as shown in Fig. 4, substantially 93.8% of the material will pass through a 200 mesh screen. With the vanes in an intermediate or midway position, substantially 95% of the material will pass through a 200 mesh screen, and other percentages can be obtained bya'djusting the vanes to'v other alternative positions. Therefore, by simplyadjusting the positions of the plates 44, which are easily accessible from outside the apparatus, the grade of material obtained can be selected, all other conditions remaining unchanged.l

and for restricting the upward flow of solid.

materials in suspensionrin the air stream, inwardly projecting spaced apart annular members in the upper portion of the casing for definingy an inwardly open annular separating space above the restricting means, and adjustable damper means positioned in the outer portion of this separating space. ,y v

2. In a separator, a casing, means comprising rotary members forcreatin'gy an upward iiow of air through the casing, for 'distributing solid material intothe upwardlyflowing air stream, and for restricting the upward flow of solid materials in-suspension in the air stream, inwardly projecting spaced apart annular members in the' upper portion of the casingfor delining an inwardly open annular separatingl space 'above the restricting means and an annular series of vertically positioned regulating vanes projecting radially inward from the casing wall within the separating space, and means accessible from outside the casing for adjusting'the vanes radi--v ally. A

3. In a separator, a casing, a rotary distributor therein, a rotary derlector positioned above the distributor and having an annular series of openspace.

ings therein, means for causing an upward ilow of air through the casing and through the openings in the deilector, there beingV inwardly projecting spaced apart annular members inthe upper portion of the casing for defining an annular separating space above the deilector and extending outwardly beyond the series of openings, and adjustable damper means pitioned in the separating space.

4. In a separator, a casing, a rotary distributor therein, a'rotary deflector positioned above the distributor and having an annular series of openings therein, means for causing an upward flow of air through thecasing and through-the'openings in the deflector, there being inwardly projecting spaced apart annular members in the upper portion of the casing for defining an' annular separating space above the deflector and extending outwardly beyond the series of openings, and adjustable damper means positioned in the outwardly extending portion of the separating 5. In a separator, a casing, a rotary distributor therein, a rotary deilector positioned .above the distributor and having an annular series of openings therein, means for causing an upward flow of air through the casing and through'the openings in the deflector, there being inwardly projectingy spaced apart annular members in the upper portion of the casing for defining an annular separating space 'above the deflector and extending outwardly beyond the series of openings, and an annular series of spaced -apart vertically positioned regulating vanes projecting radially inward through the outwardly extending portion of the separating space.

6. In a separator, a casing, a rotary distributor therein, a rotary deilector positioned above the distributor and comprising an annular series of radially extending vanes, an annular stationary deiiector carried by the casingand closely overlapping the outer end .portions of' the vanes,

means for causing .an upward flow of air through -the casing and between the vanes,'and adjustable damper means positioned in the annular space above the stationary deector.

7. In a separator, a casing, a rotary distribul tor therein, a rotary deflector positioned above the-'distributor and comprising an annular series of radially extending vanes, an annular stationary deflector carried by the casing and closely overlapping the outer end portions of the vanes, means for causing an upward'o'w of air through the casing and between the vanes, an annular series of vertically positioned regulating vanes projecting radially inward within the annularvspacebove the stationary deflector, and means foradjusting the vanes radially.

8. In a separator, a casing, a rotary distributing member therein, said casing having an inwardly extending annular cover-plate at its upper endsurrounding a central outlet opening, means for causing an upward flow of air through the casing and out through the opening, a rotary deector positioned above the distributor but spaced belowv thecover-plate, an. annular de-Y and an annular series of 4'spaced apart adjustable regulating vanes projecting inwardlyfrom'the casing wall into the space between-theannular detlector and the cover-plate.

9. In a separator, a casing, a rotary distributing member therein. said casing having an inwardly extending annular cover-plate at its Iupper end surrounding a central outlet opening,

means for causing yan upward i'low of-air through the casing and out through the opening, a rotary. deflector positioned above the distributor but spaced below the cover-plate, an annular deflector carried by the casing and closelyovorlapping the outer portion of the rotary deflect'or,

flector carried by the. casing and closclyover-'f lapping the outer portion of the rotary deilector,

and an annular series of spaced apart vertically upper end` surrounding a central outlet opening,l

means for causing an upward flow of air through the casing and ,out through the opening, a rotary deiiector positioned above the distributor `but spaced below the cover-plate,l anfannular deector carried by the casing and closely overlapping the outer portion of .the rotary deflector, and adjustable4 damper means positioned in the space .between the annular deflector and the cover-plate.

l1. In' a separator, an outer shell, an inner casing supported within the shell so as to provide y an annular space therebetween, mea-ns' comprising rotary members .for creating a circulation of air -upwardly through and around the casing. for distributing solid material into the upwardly owing air stream, and for restricting the upward flow of solid materials in --suspension in the air stream, meansy leading separately from the lower portions of the shell yand casing -for collecting the solid materials depositedfrornthe air stream in each, spaced apartannular means projecting inwardly from the Vcasing wall above the rotary restricting member for defining an inwardly open annular casing, and adjustable damper means positioned in the outer portion of this separating space.

12. In a separatorQanouter shell, an inner, casing supported within the shell so as tol provide an annular space therebetween, means comprising rotary members for creating a'circulation of air upwardly'through-` and around the casing, for distributing solid material into the upwardly flowing air stream, and for restricting the upward flow of solid materials in suspension in the air stream, means leading separately from the lower portions of. the shell and casing for collecting the solid materials deposited from the air stream in each, spaced apart annular means projecting inwardly from the casing wall above the rotaryI restricting member for dening an inwardly open annular separating space in the upper'portion ofthe casing, an annular series of vertically positioned regulating vanes projecting radially inward from the casing wall within the separating space, and means accessible `from outside the shell for adjusting the vanes radially.

13. In a separator, an outer shell, an inner casing supported within the shell so as to provide an annular space therebetween, means comprising rotary members for creating a circulaseparating space in the upper portionof the distributor but spaced tion of air upwardly through and around the casing, for distributing solid material into the upwardly ilowing air stream, and for restricting the upward flow of solid materials in suspension in the air stream, means leading separately from the lower portions of the shell and casing for collecting the solid materials deposited from the air stream in each, means for dening an inwardly open annular separating space in the upper portion of the casing, an annular series of vertically positioned horizontally slidable regulating vanes projecting radially inward through the shell and casing walls intoV the outer portion `of the separating space, and a cylindrical deflecting casing of greater diameter than the maximum width of the vane which houses i that portion of each vane extending between the shell and inner casing, the outer ends of the vanes being accessible for adjusting the vanes radially.

14. In a separator, an outer shell, a'n inner casing having an inwardly extending annular flange at its upper) end to provide a restricted upper outlet opening,l a rotary assembly positioned within the casing comprising a rotary distributor, a rotary deflector positioned above the downwardly from the annular ilange, and a rotary fan positioned above the flange and functioning to provide a circulation of air upwardly through the casing and downwardly around the casing between the casing and shell, an annular member extending inwardly above the outer portion of the deflector to provide a separating space between this member and the upper annular flange, means leading separately from the lower` portions of the shell and casing for collecting the solid mav terials deposited from the air stream in each,

lthere being an annularseries of openings in the outer portion of the rotary defiector through which the-air with suspended materials must pass upwardly, and adjustable ldamper means positioned in the outer portion of the separating space. l f

15. In a separator, an outer shell, an inner casing havingv an inwardly extending annular ange at its upper end to provideva restricted upper outlet opening, a rotary assembly positioned within the casing comprising a rotary distributor, a rotary deilector positioned above the distributor but spaced downwardly from the annular flange, and a rotary fan positioned above the flange and functioning to provide a circulavtion of air upwardly through the casing and downwardly around the casing between the casin'g and shell, an annular member extending inwardly above the outer portion of the de'ector to provide a separating space between this member and the upper annular flange, means leading separately from the lower portions of the shell and casing for collecting the solid materials deposited from the air stream in each, there being an annular series of openings in the outer portion of the rotary deiiector through which the air with suspended materials must pass upwardly,

and an annular series of vertically positioned` regulating vanes projecting radially inward through the casing wallinto the outer portion of the separating space, and means accessible from outside the shell for adjusting the vanes radially.

16. In a separator, an outer shell, an inner.

casing having' an inwardly extending annular flange at its upper end, a rotary assembly positioned within the casingv comprising a rotary downwardly around the casing between the casing and shell, means leading separately from the lower portions of the shell and casing for y collecting the solidmaterials deposited from the Vair stream in each, the rotary deflector compris-I ing y'a central disk portion, and a Series of radially projecting vanes extending into proximity to the casing wall, a stationary annular deflector carried by the casing wall and overlapping the outer ends of the vanes, .and adjustable damper means positioned in the outer portion of the separating space above the annular deflector.

17. In a separator, an outer shell, an inner casing having an inwardly extending annular flange at its upper end, a rotary assembly positioned within the' casing comprisingY a rotary spaced downwardly from the provide a separating space .imity to the casing wall, a stationary annular deilector carried by the casing wall and overlapping the outerends of the vanes, and an annular series of vertically positioned regulating vanes projecting radially inward from the casing wall above the stationary deiiector and 'means for adjusting the vanes radially.

18. In a separator, an outer shell, an inner -casing having an inwardly extending annular iiange at its upper end, a rotary assembly positioned within vthe casing comprising a rotary distributor, a rotary deflector positioned above the distributor but spaced downwardly from the annular flange to provide a separating space therebetween, and a rotary fan positioned above the ilange and functioning to provide a. circulation of air upwardly through the casing and downwardly around the casing between the casing and shell, means leading separately from; the lower portions of the shell and casing for collecting the solid materials deposited from the air stream in each, the rotary deflector comprising a central disk portion, and a series of radially projecting vanes extending into vproximity to the casing wall, a stationary annular. delector carried by the casing wall and overlapping the 4outer ends of the vanes, and an lannular seriesof vertically positioned regulating vanes projecting radially inward through the casingwall into the outer portion of the separating space above the annularv defiector, and means accessible from outside the shell for adjusting the vanes radially.

19. In a separator, an outer shell, an inner casing having an inwardly extending annular flange at its upper end, a rotary assembly positioned within the casing comprising a rotary distributor, a rotary deiiector positioned above the distributor but spaced downwardly from the annular ange to provide a separating space 'therebetween. and a rotary fan positioned above the a rotary fan positioned above vanes extending Cil sitioned regulating vanes projecting radially inward through the shell and casing into the outer portion of the separating space above the annular defiector, a cylindrical deflecting casing positioned about each vane between the shell and inner casing, and means positioned' outside the shell for adjusting the vanes radially.

20. In combination, an upright casing, means for causing an vair lstream to iiow upwardly* through the casing carrying finely divided solid material in suspension, said casing having an annular top wall surrounding a centrally positioned outlet for the air stream, a rotary deilector Vpivoted about the central'vertical axis of the casing and projecting -at its periphery into proximity to the casing wall, the deflector being formed with openings in its outer portion for the passage oi the air stream, means for rotating the deilector, a non-rotary annular member carried by the casing and spaced downwardly from the top wail of the casing and cooperating with the deiiector to provide an inwardly open annular sep-- a'rating space in which the air strearnwhirls, and adjustabledamper means positioned to be pro-` jected to selected positions in the separating space.

21. In combination,.an uprightcasing, means for causing an air stream to flow `upwardly through the' casing carrying iinely divided solid material in suspension, said casing having an annular top wall surrounding a centrally positioned outlet for the air stream, a rotary deiiector pivotedabout the central vertical axis of the casing *and projecting at its periphery into proximity to the casing wall, the deiiector being formed with openings in its outer portion for the passage of the air stream, .means for rotating the deector,

a non-rotary annular member carried by the casing and spaced downwardly from the top wall of the casing and cooperating with the deiiector to provide an inwardly open annular separating space in which the air stream whirls, and adjustable vertically extending damper means positioned to be projected to selected positions in the separating space.

22. In combination, an upright casing, means for causing yan air stream to flow upwardly through the casing carrying finely divided solid material in suspension, said casing having an annular top wallsurrounding a centrally positioned outlet for the air stream, a rotary defiector piv- `oted about the central vertical axis of the casing and projecting at its periphery into proximity to the casing wall, vthe defiectorbeing formed with openings ,in its outer portion for the passage of thev air stream, means for rotating the defiector, a' non-rotaryannular member carried by the casing and spaced downwardly Afrom the top wallv of the casing and cooperating with the defiector to pro',- vide an inwardlyopen annular separating space in which the air stream* whirls, and adjustable damper means positioned to be projected radially to selected positions in the separating Space..

and projecting at its periphery into proximity wall ci the casing to provide an inwardly Y 23. In combination, an upright casing, means for causing .an air stream to flow upwardly through the casing carrying finely divided solid material in suspension, said casing having an annular top wall surrounding a centrally positioned outlet for the air` stream, a rotary deiiector pivoted about the central vertical axis of the casing tothe casing wall, the deflector being formed with openings in its outer portion for the passage of the air stream, means for rotating the deilector, a non-rotary annular member carried by the casing and 'spaced downwardly from the top wall of' the casing and cooperating with the deilector to provide an inwardly open annular separating space in which the air stream whirls, and an annular series of dampers positioned to be projected to selected positions in the separating space.

24. In combination, an upright casing, means for causing an air stream to flow upwardly through the casing carrying iinely divided solid material in suspension, annular top wall surrounding a centrally positioned outlet for the air stream, a rotary d eiiector pivoted about the central verticalaxis of the. casing and comprising a central disc portion and a circular series of radially extending vanos, means for rotating this defiector, a stationary defiector carried by the casing wall and overlapping the outer ends oi the vanes, the rotary deflector being spaced downwardly from the top wall of the casing to provide an inwardly open annular separating space vbetween the top wall and the defiectors, theair stream passing bet'ween the rotating vanes to enter the separating space in which it whirls due to Ithe motion imf parted thereto by the rotary denector, and adjustable damper means positioned to be projected to selected positions in the separating space:

` 25. In combination, an upright casing. means for causing an' air stream to now upwardly through the casing carrying finely divided solid material in suspension, said casing having an annular top wall surrounding a centrahy positioned outlet for theair stream, a rotary deiiector pivoted about the central vertical axis'of the casingandcomprising a central disc portion and a circular series of radially extending vanes, means for rotating thisdeiiector, a Astationary defiectorvcarried by the casing wall and overlapping the outer ends oi! the vanes. the rotaryvdeflector/being spaced downwardly i'rom the top wall of the casing to provide an inwardly open annular separating space between the top wall and'the defiectors, the air stream passing between the .rotating vanes to enter the separating space in which it whirls due to the motion imparted thereto by the rotary deiiector, and adjustable 'vertically extending damper means positioned to bel projected to selected positions in the separating space. l

26. Incombinatiom an upright casing, means for causing an air stream to iiow upwardly through the casing carryingfinely divided solid material in suspension,

tioned outlet for the air stream. a rotary defie'ctor pivoted about the central vertical axis of the means tor rotating this deector, a stationary deiiector carried by ping the outer ends of the vanes, iiector being spacedfdownwardlyrfrom the" top.

,saidcasing having an rsaidv casing having an 6 annular top wall surrounding a centrally posiandcverlap-V L the rotary de- Y annular separating space between the top wall and the deflectors, the air stream passing between the rotating vanes to enter the separating space in which it whirls due to the motion imparted thereto by the rotary deilector, and adjustable damper means positioned to be projected radially to selected positions in the separatingvspace.

27 'In combination, an upright casing, means for causing an air stream to' flow upwardly through the casing carrying finely divided solid material in suspension, said casing having an annular top wall surrounding a centrally positioned outlet for the air stream, a rotary deilector piv oted about the central vertical axis of the casing 'and comprising a central disc portion and a circular series of radially extending vanes, means for rotating this deector, a stationary deflector carried by the casing Wall and overlapping the outer ends of the varies, the rotary deector being spaced downwardly from the top wall of the casing to provideY an inwardly open annular separating space between the top wall and the defiectors., the air stream passing between the rotating vanes to enter the separating space in which it Whirls due to the motion imparted thereto by the rotary deflector, and an annular series of dampers positioned to be projected to selectedV pisitions in the separating space.

JOE CRITES. 

